My dear Grandpa has terminal cancer, it has come on suddenly and he has been given a maximum of 6 monthes to live. I have so much I want to say to him, we have spoken on the phone but I feel too emotional to say these things out loud. Is this ok as a letter to him? I have no experience of writting to a dying person, I don't want to sound insensitive.
Dear Grandpa.
Happy father's day! I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the fatherly role that you play in my life. I think it is quite apt that the
lady in the photoshop congratulated you on becoming a father when you collected the photos of me as a newborn baby as in many ways you have been the most fatherly influence in my life.
Thank you so much for all the time and energy you have spent with me, even though your own children had not yet all left home when I was born you allways made time for me. Driving up to Scotland to visit me when I was first born, celebrating birthdays with me and making Christmasses magical, you were there when I learnt to ride a bike (do you remember I ran over jaz poor dog!) looking after me and (db) so mum could have some precious childfree holidays, taking all 3 of us on holidays with you and Grandma, taking us to museums in London, shareing your passion for learning, supporting me through university, coming to explore Stockholm my new home and most recently traveling to meet my new baby boy, your first great grandchild.
It ment a lot to me that you and Grandma said how much you like (dp) and what a good man he was at the end of your most recent visit. He is a good man, a great partner and fantastic father. You and (dp) are very different in many ways, (dp) loves to bake where as you love to brew beer, (dp) enjoys manual/practical work whereas you have spent many years studying and working with people, (dp) likes to spend his spare time playing sport or on the computor whereas you love long walks, you also are very alike, you are both calm and caring, good at listening, supportive, hardworking, kind and loyal. Your consistant love and presence in my life has shown me that men can be reliable, stable and dependable, you have inspired me to find a life partner who is good to me and good to our children, for that I thank you, from both me and (ds)
I hope you like the photos, (ds) is growing so fast at the moment! He has learnt to hold his arms up to us when he wants to be picked up and he is sitting very reliably, only toppling over when he is very tired or very excited. I thought you could put the framed photo on your wall under the photos of your grandchildren as you suggested, a new row for a new generation.
I am so very sorry to hear you have been so ill, I hope you are starting to feel a little better. I wish we lived closer so we could come and visit you more often. If you or Grandma feel you need more help or even just some company me and (ds) can fly over any time. I am very much looking forward to seeing you in July and celebrating your 80th birthday with you.
I love you very dearly
your granddaughter (honeytea) xxx
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Fathers day letter to dying Grandfather, is this ok? opinions much appreciated!
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honeytea · 10/06/2013 11:49
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